Unfortunate News

Fang Jingtang snorted coldly. "You have all seen Lu Yingnian's fate. If your hands should not reach somewhere, do not stretch them out recklessly!"

One teacher complained, "Sir, do not treat us like fools. What he teaches may already be sitting on Lord Swordbrow's desk. With Lu Yingnian and the Second Madam as examples, who would dare do anything? To say something spineless, we can hardly wait to curry favor with Fang Yun now."

"If we stole his famous works and he angrily filed an Appeal for Sage Judgment, that would be a grave crime punishable by stripping a clan and banning three generations from Literary Rank. Lu Yingnian dared look down on Fang Yun because the Second Madam backed him, but yesterday every high-ranking official in the city went to his home. Who would dare steal from him now?"

"Yes. The Old Master even praised the First Madam for helping Fang Yun properly. He said that from now on, the First Madam would handle all major and minor household affairs. The Second Master has completely lost power."

"How dare you discuss the main household's affairs behind their backs?" Fang Jingtang said gravely.

He Yutang asked, "Headmaster, should Fox Antithetical Rhymes be promoted throughout the clan school immediately?"

"Fox Antithetical Rhymes requires much refinement and is even more cumbersome than the Three Character Classic. It may take a long time before it is formally compiled, so wait for now. Once the Three Character Classic has been taught, we can ask Fang Yun to teach it." Fang Jingtang said.

A Licentiate teacher suddenly sighed softly. "How I wish I had been born twenty years later."

Everyone froze, and then sighs rose one after another.

"I am certain that within ten years, more than half the children in this Class A will become Academy Students and successful examination candidates. I would not even be surprised if some became Metropolitan Graduates."

"This Fang Yun is extraordinary. Perhaps, like the Half-Sages of the Hundred Schools, he may establish a school of his own."

"Perhaps he may climb even higher."

Everyone fell silent. There was an even greater possibility, but no one dared voice it.

Fang Jingtang smiled. "Our Fang Clan School is meant to become an academy someday. Twenty students in Class A are far too few. It needs at least forty students to resemble a true academy."

"You mean transferring students from other classes into Class A? That would not be very appropriate, would it?" He Yutang asked.

"Who said they would be from other classes? They will come from other clan schools, other academies, or private schools! Of the new twenty openings, ten will be free places, earned through genuine ability in an examination. The other ten will be paid places. Our clan school cannot keep losing money forever. The other classes can expand their enrollment as well."

Only then did the teachers understand. One of them laughed. "Old ginger is hotter than young ginger. Using Fang Yun's name to make the clan school famous—only you could have thought of that."

"But will Fang Yun be unhappy? After all, he still needs to take the Imperial Examination."

"Of course we must ask him before making plans. Teaching and nurturing others is also an important way to spread one's literary fame. Once he becomes a renowned teacher, the children and parents of Jiangzhou will certainly respect him even more. If the clan school truly becomes an academy someday, it can be called Fang Yun Academy, or named by him, and he can serve as headmaster. Then all those who graduate from our academy will be his students. Forming a society of his own will be no challenge."

"The Fang Society? Good!" Only then did all the teachers understand Fang Jingtang's intention. The academy was merely the beginning; strengthening Fang Yun and the Fang Household was the true goal. Their thoughts immediately began to stir.

Fang Jingtang smiled even more happily.

After finishing a lesson, Fang Yun walked outside and crooked a finger at Nunu. Like a little squirrel climbing a tree, she swiftly scampered onto his shoulder, gently waving her large tail.

Fang Jingtang came over. "Come to the teachers' room with us. We would like to discuss something with you."

"Alright," Fang Yun said.

After returning to the teachers' room, Fang Jingtang went straight to the point. "Fang Yun, I want to increase Class A to forty students. Do you agree?"

Fang Yun said, "Forty students or twenty makes little difference to me. I have no objection, but the teachers responsible for marking assignments and examination papers will have a heavier burden."

"It is good that you have no objection." Fang Jingtang smiled. "The clan school will continue expanding enrollment. Once it meets an academy's standards, we will apply to the Literary Academy. I want you to name the academy and write its plaque."

"Naming the academy is too important. You or my eldest uncle should decide it."

"No, no. It was originally impossible for Fang Clan School to rise into an academy, but now that we have you, it has become possible. Your importance to the clan school far surpasses mine and Shouye's, so this name must be decided by you. Once the academy is established, you will be its headmaster forever. All its future students will be your disciples." Fang Jingtang smiled warmly.

Fang Yun immediately understood Fang Jingtang's intention. He was helping Fang Yun cultivate a foundation for the future, and he considered Fang Yun even more important than Fang Shouye's own son.

"Alright. I will think it over after I return and carefully choose a name before the academy application is submitted."

Fang Jingtang added, "Your Fox Antithetical Rhymes is excellent. In my opinion, it far surpasses the Three Character Classic. During this time, carefully compile and revise Fox Antithetical Rhymes. Oh, and be sure to go to the Literary Academy together and register it in advance."

"Fox Antithetical Rhymes? Not bad. We will name it that." Fang Yun turned to look at Nunu on his shoulder.

Nunu excitedly let out a string of yips, her fluffy tail swishing ceaselessly as she paced back and forth across Fang Yun's shoulder. At last, as though gathering her courage, she shyly gave Fang Yun a light kiss on the cheek. Then she covered her face with her paws, hid her head beneath her tail, and lay motionless on his shoulder.

"Haha." Fang Yun laughed, lifted Little Fox into his arms, and gently stroked her back.

Nunu gave soft little yips, as if saying that she was dying of embarrassment.

The teachers found it rather amusing, but none thought it strange. After all, Saint Origin Continent had many intelligent animals and demon creatures; they were even sold in marketplaces.

Just then, a sudden commotion arose outside the clan school gates. Everyone frowned and looked outward, unable to make out the words. But Nunu suddenly raised her head, pointed outside, and shouted angrily at Fang Yun, "Yah! Yah yah yah...!"

He Yutang said, "Could this be related to Fang Yun? Do not go out. I will take a look first." With that, he left the teachers' room.

Fang Yun knew that anything capable of angering Nunu could not be a trivial matter. His good mood immediately vanished. He softly stroked Nunu and waited quietly for He Yutang's news.

Before long, He Yutang hurried back, lightly panting. "Yan Yue's clansmen have come to make trouble! More than ten people came, wearing mourning clothes and crying and shouting outside."

"What? Yan Yue is dead?" Fang Yun asked.

"He is not dead. But those people are deliberately wearing mourning clothes and cursing you, saying Yan Yue's Literary Palace has shattered and that he is no different from dead. They say you are cruel and ruthless." He Yutang looked deeply worried.

Fang Jingtang was so furious that his beard stood on end. "Utter nonsense! Yan Yue brought humiliation upon himself. What does it have to do with Fang Yun? If he went to the Temple of Sages and cursed a Saint, then had his Literary Palace destroyed, would he blame the sages as well? The clear breeze cannot read, yet Literary Guts possess their own spirit. If he had not harbored intentions of harming Fang Yun, how could Literary Guts have targeted him? Dozens of Academy Students were there that day. Why did only Yan Yue and Guan Yaoyuan suffer mishaps?"

"How despicable! They are simply disgracing all scholars!" one teacher cursed.

"Even gambling houses know that a wager must be honored. They sully another's literary reputation, yet do not wish to be punished? What kind of logic is that?"

"Fang Yun, do not go out. If you do, they will surely splash filth all over you. I will handle this." Fang Jingtang angrily strode outside, a man in his sixties moving more vigorously than a youth.

He Yutang spoke bluntly. "Yan Yue's family are not fools. Even Li Grand Academician supported you yesterday. If they had no backing, they would never dare come cause you trouble. This is most likely Liu Zicheng's doing. These mourners cannot hurt you, but so long as they remain for even one day, your literary reputation will suffer. He is deliberately trying to disgust you."

Nunu nodded forcefully, furious enough to bare her teeth toward the outside, ready to bite the bad people.

Fang Yun said nothing. No amount of talking would help now; this problem had to be resolved. This was even more disgusting than plotting to smear his literary reputation at a poetry gathering. If it dragged on, it would be extremely unfavorable to him. People sympathized with whoever seemed pitiable and might not care about right or wrong.

The tallest tree catches the wind, Fang Yun thought.

A full quarter of an hour later, Headmaster Fang Jingtang returned in a rage. "Fang Yun, they truly came only to throw mud at you. No matter how we persuade them, they refuse to stop. I have already sent someone to fetch the authorities. We cannot let them continue making such a scene."

Fang Yun said, "Since they dared come, they are not afraid of the authorities. The Yan Household is a prominent clan, and the constables cannot do much to them. However, the pure remain pure, and an upright body does not fear a crooked shadow. Within a few days, they will surely leave on their own."

He Yutang hurriedly said, "You must not underestimate this. It may seem easy to resolve, but it is terribly troublesome."

Fang Yun smiled. "Since they came to cause me trouble, I hope the headmaster will allow me leave. Whenever the Yan Household stops making trouble, I will return."

"That is only proper," Fang Jingtang said.

Fang Yun said, "Headmaster, you just said that Class A would increase its enrollment. Announce it today. Also, announce two things for me. First, after I finish teaching the Three Character Classic, I will teach Fox Antithetical Rhymes and teach the children how to compose poetry and verse. Second, once I become an Academy Student, I will not only continue teaching Child Scholars, but also begin teaching Licentiates."

Everyone stared at Fang Yun in astonishment.

"As expected of a Sage-front Tongsheng. This skill of borrowing a knife... cough, cough, borrowing a brush to write is truly masterful."

"Impressive! Impressive! I will spread the word for you at once. We must make sure every Class A parent, every distinguished clan, and every official household receives this news!"

The tense atmosphere vanished like smoke, and smiles returned to everyone's faces.

He Yutang said, "Then let us put on a good show and see how long the Yan Household can hold out! The Left Prime Minister may be powerful, but he is far away in the capital. This Jiangzhou does not belong to the Liu Household, much less the Yan Household! Several children in Class A are deeply favored by the Old Master, and several others have parents with relatives in the army. What comes next depends on us. Fang Yun, leave through the academy's rear gate. Do not come to the clan school for now. I will go announce this grievous news to the Class A students!"

"I will tell the students in the other classes too. Every day, they and their parents hope to enter Class A to study poetry and verse under you, to gain a little Literary Qi. Now that the Yan Household has driven you away, they will never let this rest."

The others scattered with wicked smiles, each going to carry out their own task.

After seeing Fang Yun off, He Yutang rubbed his face with his hands and practiced a sorrowful expression before a bronze mirror. Then he entered Class A and asked the teacher currently lecturing to stop.

He Yutang walked to the platform, swept his gaze over the students solemnly, and said in grief, "Students of Class A, I must tell you some unfortunate news. Teacher Fang may never be able to teach you again."

The children were all stunned. The older children fared somewhat better, but tears welled in the eyes of several seven- and eight-year-olds, ready to spill at any moment.